Trenton (New Jersey), Aug 09: A man accused of falsely claiming benefits for a fictional wife who supposedly died in the world trade center attack was charged with making the same claim for a second invented spouse. Prosecutors say Mark Christopher, 38, was not married to anyone, but applied for more than $83,000 in survivors' aid from the red cross and the federal emergency management agency. He received about $72,000.

Based on the new indictment yesterday, Christopher faces a maximum 10 years in prison on charges of theft, identity theft and falsifying records. He was being held at the Camden County Jail on $50,000 bail.

Christopher, of Sicklerville, was originally indicted in March after claiming that a wife, Lisa, died in the terrorist attack and that he needed money to support their 3-year-old son. He has no children, authorities said.
Authorities said the second false claim was for a wife, Kim, whose supposed death at the trade center left Christopher with two children who he said lived in Mount Vernon, New York. Investigators said they determined the address was actually his mother's.

Authorities identified Christopher's lawyer as Ralph R Kramer.

Attempts to reach Kramer on yesterday were unsuccessful; his office answering system did not accept messages.
Bureau Report